Topic 1: Spanish explorations

(1) Why did the Spanish decide to explore Asia in the 16th century?

The Spaniards, with their reigning King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the 16 th century decided
to explore Asia to strengthen and glorify their own empire by means of exploring and discovering lands to
make a way to gain wealth through mercantilism and capitalism (this includes political authority, additional
empirical knowledge in science and technology, and the support of small economic elite). This is all in
against to their rival country, Portugal in which, Spain wants to have a commercial advantage over
Portugal. Their main goal was to divert the overland spice trade in Asia to a European sea trade by tapping items
such as cloves, pepper, and ginger. With this, they will achieve in enriching and glorifying their nation.

(2) Name the two treaties made as a result of Columbus (1492) and Magellan (1521) explorations. What
were the contents of these treaties?

The two treaties made as a result of Columbus (1492) and Magellan (1521) explorations are Treaty
of Tordesillas and Treaty of Zaragoza. This tandem to establish zones of influence for Portuguese and
Spanish trade.
The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spanish empire and Portuguese Empire
settling the conflict created after the return of Columbus and his crew. The signed agreement divided the
newly discovered land outside Europe that is not under the Christian rule. The treaty stated a meridian in
the Atlantic Ocean, with the western part exclusive to Spain and the east to Portugal. However, the treaty
shifted the demarcation line 370 leagues farther west – this was a veritable Portuguese gain. Years after
the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed, another conflict/competition between the two empires was reborn
when the Spanish circumnavigated the globe. The Treaty of Zaragoza established the antemeridian of the
Treaty of Tordesillas, effectively extending the dividing line into the eastern half of the globe and completing
the separation of the zones of influence. This Treaty was able to resolve the “Moluccas Issue” for which,
attributing the Maluku to Portugal and the Philippines to Spain.
Topic 3: Drawing the web of Spanish colonization

Draw a web that synthesizes the different factors that led to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.
Reform and Revolution

Why is it important to study the patterns of natives' responses to the Spanish colonization of the
Philippines, 16th to early 19th century?

1. Studying that instance will enable us to have an idea and grasp an understanding of the
formation of our identity as Filipinos. This is because of the fact that this colonization greatly
contributed to our political organization, practices, labor, livelihood, ecology, and many more in this
present time.

What do you think was missing in all the early uprisings from the early 16th to early 19th century that none
of them succeeded to end the Spanish colonization of the Philippines? Explain your answer.

2. The Cavite Mutiny (uprising of military personnel) failed because of the defection of the committed
Filipino troops from Manila. In my opinion, there was a lack of solidarity and unity among the Filipinos will
for a national uprising. In which, in fact, our independence came birth just after the aftermath of this incident
as the violent and abusive consequence made a major factor in the awakening of nationalism among
Filipinos.

Hypothetical question, what could have had happened to the Philippines if it was not colonized by Spain in
the 16th century? Present 2 hypothetical but historically-sound answers.

3.A. Islam, which is the first-recorded monotheistic religion in the Philippines, would have been the
Philippines' dominant religion. The diffusion of Islam in the region back when the Indian and Arab traders
came to some islands in the Philippines would be more widespread as it reigns more influence to our
natives, quite similar to the influence that the Spanish Catholicism bought in reality.

3.B. Is would possible that the archipelago, the Philippines today wouldn't be called the Philippines as
named by the Spaniards. Instead, other empires such as the Dutch or British, who attempted to wrest
Spain's Asian possessions (based on the Treaty of Zaragoza), have colonized including the naming of our
archipelago.
1.Studying that instance will enable us to have an idea and grasp an understanding of the formation of our
identity as Filipinos. This is because of the fact that this colonization greatly contributed to our political
organization, practices, labor, livelihood, ecology, and many more in this present time.

2.The Cavite Mutiny failed because of the defection of the committed Filipino troops from Manila. In my
opinion, there was a lack of solidarity and unity among the Filipinos will for a national uprising. In fact, the
awakening of nationalism among majority of the Filipinos happened after realizing the aftermath of this
incident.

3.A.Islam, which is the first-recorded monotheistic religion in the Philippines would have been the
Philippines' dominant religion. The diffusion of Islam in the region back when the Indian and Arab traders
who came to some islands in the Philippines would be more widespread as it would reign more influence
on our natives.

3.B.Is would possible that the archipelago, the Philippines today wouldn't be called the Philippines as
named by the Spaniards. Instead, other empires such as the Dutch, who attempted to wrest Spain's Asian
possessions (based on the Treaty of Zaragoza), have colonized including the naming of our archipelago.